Just in case you're wondering why there isn't another stalking story upon seeing these creatures, it's because there are huge differences between the Black and Blue Wildebeest. The Black Wildebeest is a dark brown in color, has a white tail, front facing horns, narrower hooves, and a smaller body. The Blue is a grey-blue in color, with side facing horns, wide hooves, and is much larger of an animal.
Besides a herd of impala, we weren't seeing much that morning. Things seemed pretty slow until Yakub spotted a Jackal 500 meters away. The vehicle stopped and Yakub took the shot from atop the pick up. The Jackal managed to run off, but after we drove up and saw the spot where it had been, there was no way it would be able to cause any more trouble.
Another hour of driving without seeing much meant we would try our luck at a stake out. When we arrived at the watering hole, the usual spot that they used was currently occupied with wasps. Instead we set up behind two large bushes... and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Now I realize why coffee is the hunter's drink of choice. You need SOMETHING to keep you from falling asleep with boredom! Thankfully we got to go back for lunch, because picking grass doesn't keep one entertained forever.
With such an unsuccessful morning, we were worried that there wouldn't be much of a turnout in the afternoon. But then we spotted Blue Wildebeest tracks, and left the pick up to follow them deep into the bush. We must have walked for miles, but it didn't matter when we finally drew close!
Before we could spot them, a huge warthog stepped into our path. Yakub silently asked Jason if he wanted to shoot it, but my little brother shook his head. Yakub nodded, and after a few tense moments of walking as silently as possible around it, we continued to follow the herd.
The day began to grow old, and the hours of sunlight left was at bare minimum. We were all exhausted after stalking through the bush, and Yakub radioed Francis to pick us up and take us back to the lodge.
"What if we don't find a wildebeest?" Jason asked me as we began the drive back.
"Don't worry about it, we will," I assured him, crossing my fingers we would.
Yakub stopped the car and got out to look through a clearing, he crept back slowly and grabbed the .308 and his hunting sticks, "Blue Wildebeest," he simply stated, "One kilometer."
Jason smiled from ear to ear. We both hopped out and began to weave our way through the bush towards the herd. The excitement reached its peak, and so did the mosquito hour.
We finally drew close, now crouching as low as possible while we crept towards the herd. Then one of the Blue Wildebeest made a noise that I can only describe as the cross between a snort, snore, and a sneeze. Just like the jackal from two days before, it was telling us that it saw us, but it was unsure what we were.
And just like two days before, Yakub mimicked the noise, making the entire herd curious as to what we were!! They drew closer. Yakub placed the rifle on his shoulder and Jason moved over to shoot. All was silent until the Blue Wildebeest called again. Yakub called back. A mosquito buzzed next to my ear, and I felt it land, but avoided the urge to flick it off in case the movement spooked the herd.
"Take the big one on the left," Yakub whispered before answering another call.
Jason fired and the Blue Wildebeest dropped. The herd dashed off, and it raced after its companions. By now it was almost dark, but we followed after the tracks. Yakub explained to us quietly that the Blue Jason had shot had broken off from the herd. They do this when they are very sick or dying, so it is a good sign that the shot may have been lethal.
We followed until we couldn't see any longer, then marked the tracks for the morning. Once again we had to go to sleep with hopes that no rain came during the night.
No comments:
Post a Comment